QUOTE: “Did is a word of achievement, Won’t is a word of retreat, Might is a word of bereavement, Can’t is a word of defeat, Ought is a word of duty, Try is a word of each hour, Will is a word of beauty, Can is a word of power!”
Dear Yr. 11 Parents and Carers;
Week 4 has come around after a busy weekend for many of our boys who made the trip to Armidale, where they acquitted themselves on and off the field very well. There has been a cold/cough doing the rounds which has laid quite a few of the boys low, and basic hygiene, as well as ventilating the dorms has been stressed to them to help minimise their chances of being affected. I spoke with our boys at our Division Meeting on Wednesday 
complimenting them on their consistency and ability to slog away at their work. At the moment assignments are becoming due with a huge amount work going into Senior Geography Projects; Business Studies Plans, Biology, English, Ancient History assignments, let alone our seventeen Accelerated Maths students who have just completed their HSC Maths Trials. All we can see around us is hard work that is something many of our boys are very familiar with but still the demands and time commitment being asked of our boys is new territory for some. I stressed to them to make the most of and enjoy their journey and at all times ensure they give their best to each day and, if they are feeling too swamped, talk and we will do all we can to help them out. The following is a reflection which we took time to consider as it has a valuable message for them all: –
¨ How strange it is, our little procession of life! The child says, “When I am a big boy”. The big boy says, “When I grow up”. And, grown-up, he says, “When I get married”. Then, when retirement comes, he looks back over the landscape traversed; a cold wind seems to sweep over it; somehow he has missed it all, and it is gone. Life, we learn too late, is in the living, in the tissue of every day and hour.
Yesterday, our seventeen Year 11 Accelerated Maths boys completed their HSC Mathematics Trial Papers. These boys are doing the Accelerated Maths course that they commenced at the beginning of Year 10. After testing at the beginning of last year, the class was selected and began their tuition under Mr Thompson. The boys basically complete their three years Maths Program from Years 10 –12 in two years. The major benefit is in their final HSC year, allowing for more time dedicated to their other subjects. Though many of the boys may re-sit for the exams in 2012, the experience they gain is also of huge benefit. We wish Henry Brindle, Ethan Chin, Geoff Choy, Oliver Coorey, Ed Dwyer, Hamish Elliot, Harrison Gould, James Harrison, Michael Lawler, Nathan Le, Derek Lo, Harry Maher, Tom Murphy, Alex Newsome, Daniel Picone, Oliver Roberts and Seth Turnbull all the best of luck in their HSC Mathematics studies.
Last Friday saw our 1st Debating side, which Harry Maher is a member of; score a terrific victory over Sydney Boys High, the first one in seven years. Our boys in the Seconds and Thirds were not so lucky but acquitted themselves very well. Last Friday also saw our wonderful service to the Matthew Talbot Hostel for Homeless Men continue with Vincent Salinos, Julian Paul, Magnus Heywood and Oliver Coorey, going along to serve the evening meal to the guests of the Hostel. Tonight, Mackenzie Broom, Ben Pedley, Max Honner and Cameron Haddad will travel out with Miss Stambouliah for this wonderful experience.
I would also like to commend Matthew Alessi for his recent selection in the Combined GPS 1st Football side who were victorious in their match against CAS, 2-1. Well done Matthew.
During the past week two of our Indigenous students, heath Green and Anthony Baker were fortunate enough to travel to Uluru and Gove respectively. Heath relays the following:
“On Thursday July 28th I went to Uluru, for an Aboriginal youth leadership program (IYLP). Me and another student were chosen to go to represent St Joseph’s College and because I was given a scholarship from the Smith Family last year. The highlights of the experience wasn’t only to see Ayres Rock but to meet people from every state in Australia. And also listening to inspirational stories from many aboriginal people who have struggled through their lives but managed to get back on track and keep moving forward. On the trip we did many activities to help build our leadership and character such as putting up a tent blind folded, also to get to know the people that were on the trip and their backgrounds. We also went to see another place. Kata Tjuta which is not far from Uluru and I walk through the Valley of the Wind. On Saturday night we watched a very inspiring documentary which Uncle Bob Randell made about the Aboriginal people and a story about his life. Then on the last day we had to wake up at 4:00 in the morning to go and catch the sun rise at Uluru and walk around the base and see artwork that have been there for over hundreds of years and many sacred sites. The highlights of my experience were learning how to be a leader and learning from other people on how to do so. And meeting people that you had never seen before in your life and getting to know them. And also seeing Uluru”.
Anthony attended The Garma Festival, this is located in Gove (Nhulunbuy) Northern territory. Anthony was asked as by the Australian Defence Force to represent the Army and St Joseph’s College as a key speaker at the 
Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) Forum. On the 7th of August he was asked to give a speech about his life before joining the DIDP in 2009 and coming to Joeys in 2010. In Anthony’s words : “From this trip I have gained pride of being an Indigenous Australian and being part of Joey’s history, culture and heritage. Also Academic Excellence & Cultural Integrity, which was the key theme of the whole weekend”.
This weekend will be another great test for our boys with a full list of fixtures in Round 6 of the GPS Competition against Riverview, which by now you all would have received. There will be plenty of exciting matches commencing with the debating on Friday night followed by the sports fixtures on Saturday. Just a reminder for those of you whose sons are going on overnights or gatherings to other friends places, please make contact with the parents of where your son is going, and if you are unsure of contact details I am more than willing to assist. I would also like to thank those parents who have had gatherings, for letting me know the details of the night, so that I can communicate this to parents of our country boys. If we all work together to look after, direct and ensure our boys are safe at weekends, it will be for everyone’s benefit.
This Sunday is the Family Mass that will be held in the Brother Emilian Hall where boys are to be seated by 9.50am. All boys are to be present in their full Blues. This will be followed by Jazz on the Lawn which you can use the following link to find out more of what is a great way to fill in your Sunday morning if you can:
http://www.joeys.org/newspublicationsevents/news/JazzontheLawn.cfm
The boys will be free then to leave after marking off with me at 11am and then Full Boarders and Weekly Boarders, returning Sunday night, are back by 8pm for this weekend. I would also like to draw to your attention the copy of the Welcome Newsletter, which has been attached, that Ross Tarlinton sent to all families at the beginning of the year. I would like to bring to your attention the section ‘Holiday Plans During the Year’ and ask any of you, considering taking your son out of school during the term to adhere to the listed requirements.
Take care and enjoy the weekend with your families.
Regards
Jeremy